Finally. After more than a decade of pursuing Randy Johnson and particularly a past few weeks in which the 6-foot-10 lefty ace was in their grasp and then wasn’t, the Yankees at last secured the top-of-the-rotation pitcher they desired.

The Yanks agreed in principle to send Javier Vazquez, $9 million, Brad Halsey and Dioner Navarro to Arizona for Johnson. Arizona fancied Eric Duncan, but would have received only around $5 million had they accepted the Yanks’ top prospect. The Diamondbacks also decided against taking Melky Cabrera and/or Abel Gomez because it would have chipped into the payout.

They could have had $12 million, but wanted Navarro, apparently to ship to Los Angeles as part of package for Shawn Green. Arizona also might redirect Vazquez elsewhere, with the Orioles the most likely destination followed by Detroit and Texas.

Neither team acknowledged this trade because Bud Selig still must approve it (he will not even look at it until Monday, has reservations about the finances of both clubs, but is likely to give his blessing), Johnson must sign an extension (probably for $32 million over two years) and physicals must be passed. The Yanks persist in coping with the tedium and cost because Johnson fits their No. 1 need.

“There are maybe 10 true aces in the major leagues, five in each league,” said Rangers manager Buck Showalter, Johnson’s manager in Arizona from 1999-2000. “Randy is clearly one of them.”

Johnson is blessed with lightning in his left arm and intimidation that comes with being the same size as Kevin Garnett. However, while Johnson fits the Yankee needs, he also offers three areas of concern:

AGE: Johnson, 41, is younger than Roger Clemens and David Wells, but still was the majors’ 10th oldest player in 2004. Nevertheless he finished behind just Clemens in the NL Cy Young voting.

“Randy should be in decline, but he has gotten better and better,” said Rangers bullpen coach Mark Connor, who was Johnson’s Arizona pitching coach in 1999-2000, which were the first two of Johnson’s four-year run as the NL Cy Young winner. “I don’t see any decline in his game.”

Connor compared Johnson to Clemens in explaining his continuing excellence, saying, “Between starts when you don’t see him in the dugout, he is in the weightroom. There are no frills to this guy.” His motivation should remain high since he craves the 54 wins to reach 300.

ACHES: Johnson has a degenerative condition in his right landing leg that he uses a synthetic lubricant 2-3 times a year to medicate. Despite that injury and a pre-existing back condition, Johnson still led the majors in strikeouts (290) and was second in innings (245 2/3). His development of a two-seam fastball, splitfinger and more precise control has enabled him to retain durability and excellence despite the aches and age.

ANTISOCIAL: To come to New York, Johnson will be leaving Paradise Valley (the city he lives in Arizona) in more ways than one. He is prickly and not close to teammates. Johnson, in fact, had a dugout altercation last July 8 with the jovial Luis Gonzalez, after Gonzalez dropped a flyball costing Johnson three runs. He was snippy with a New York area reporter when Yankee trade talk was in the air at the last All-Star Game.

He has played before smaller, less feral media corps in Seattle, Houston and Arizona.

George Steinbrenner will probably order the trimming of Johnson’s beloved mullet and Johnson will not be able to pry away Bernie Williams’ No. 51.

In a clubhouse that already has Brown and perhaps still Jason Giambi, Joe Torre will add another challenge.

But, as Showalter acknowledged, you live with some stuff because “he is a given every five days to rest your bullpen.”

Connor said, “He will be fine in New York. He will relish the challenge.

“The challenge of playing there and playing against the Red Sox will jack him up.”

—

Big Aces In The Big Apple

PEDRO MARTINEZ

Height: 5-11

Weight: 170

Throws: R

Birthdate: 10/25/1971

Birthplace: Manoguayabo, DR

Years Pro: 13

Major League debut: Sept, 24, 1992

College: Ohio Dominican

CAREER STATISTICS

INNINGS: 2296

STARTS: 321

WINS: 182

LOSSES: 76

SAVES: 3

STRIKEOUTS: 2653

WALKS: 615 H

ITS: 1746

ERA: 2.709

WHIP: 1.028

BY THE NUMBERS

99 – Number of his career double-figure strikeout games.

QUOTEBOOK

On his return to the NL: “I think it’ll be funny. I hope you guys don’t laugh at my swing.”

On his history against the Yanks: “What can I say? Just tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy.”

*

RANDY JOHNSON

Height: 6-10

Weight: 235

Throws: L

Birthdate: 09/10/1963

Birthplace: Walnut Creek, Calif.

Years Pro: 17

Major League debut: Sept. 15, 1988

Drafted by: Montreal Expos.

College: Southern California.

CAREER STATISTICS

INNINGS: 3368

STARTS: 479

WINS: 246

LOSSES: 128

SAVES: 2

STRIKEOUTS: 4161

WALKS: 1302

HITS: 2612

ERA: 3.068

WHIP: 1.162

BY THE NUMBERS

51 – Number he wore in Arizona, Houston and Seattle. Won’t happen here though, with Bernie Williams currently occupying it.

QUOTEBOOK

On his 2004 perfect game: “A game like this was pretty special. It doesn’t come along very often. Not bad for being 40 years old.”